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When to Plant Guava in Tangipahoa Parish, LA

Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana Zone 9a May

Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana gardeners: here's your May plan

Your Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 23
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs

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Guava is a tropical fruit tree producing fragrant, vitamin C-rich fruits with pink, white, or yellow flesh. Some varieties can tolerate brief cold snaps.

Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 264 days.

At an elevation of 111 feet, Tangipahoa Parish receives approximately 56.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Guava during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Guava will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Guava root diseases.

Tangipahoa Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Long season
264 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
264 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23
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Tangipahoa Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 9

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Tangipahoa Parish

How your county's soil matches Guava's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.0) overlaps with Guava's range (5.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Tangipahoa Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Guava will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Guava.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Guava.

How to Plant Guava

36"
Between Plants
48"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Guava

Guava needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Guava Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Tangipahoa Parish). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Guava Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Guava needs ~11,224 GDD — county provides 5,412 GDD May not mature

Guava Planting Timeline — Tangipahoa Parish, LA

Guava Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1

· 36" apart · Rows 48" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

365–730 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

264 days in Tangipahoa Parish

Growing Tips for Guava in Tangipahoa Parish

Direct sow Guava outdoors after March 04 in Tangipahoa Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Tangipahoa Parish dries quickly — mulch Guava with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your 264.0-day growing season in Tangipahoa Parish is tight for Guava (365.0-730.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant in a sheltered location with full sun. Water regularly during fruiting. In marginal zones, grow in large containers. Prune to maintain size and shape. Fruits ripen year-round in the tropics.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Guava in Tangipahoa Parish, LA?

Tangipahoa Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Guava planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tangipahoa Parish, LA?

Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 23.

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Your Tangipahoa Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Tangipahoa Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Tangipahoa Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.